Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-11-18

lect, yet III the course OF thirty years OF
lonely. unloved life, had never known
true happiness, found that fate had
suddenly thrown a new and absorbing
interest into his life
The more he saw her the more
clearly he came to understand what a
noble character lay hidden in Grace
Burnhams girlish heart, and to his own
surprise he found himself reviewing
for her interest all the varied scenes OF
his life.
Grace, all unconscious what was the
true reason that she so deeply enjoyed
the strangers conversation, would
listen with her heart in her eyes.
| Things went on in this way until
Johns foot ceased to trouble him.
Then suddenly he awole to the truth
that, within the space Of few short
weeks his heart had irrevocably passed
out of his keeping.
At first the knowledge startled him
for, beautiful and lady-like in all her
ways, still Grace was very different
from the fashionable ladies he had been
accustomed to meet in society.
But the longer he thought the more
he realized that so deep was his love
for this girl, to whom he owed his life,
that if she would consent to become
his wife the future could hold no
greater happiness for him.
He was walking along the shore,
meditating thus when, looking up, he
saw, some distance before him, Grace's
graceful figure.
AS she turned at his call and came
toward him he noticed, with more adj
miration than before, her exceeding
beauty.
Almost without meaning. before he
thought, the words he had been think
ing escaped his lips:
Grace, could you love me enough to
become my wife,"
At this sudden, unexpected address,
the quick blood dyed her face with a
glow of rich color.
At sight of her confusion, without
giving her time for reply, John went
on eagerly; Il did not mean to speak
to you thus abruptly, but l could re-
strain myself no longer. Grace, love
you, and l want you for my wife.-to
have and to hold forever. Is there no
vestage in your heart for me of the
affection with which mine is overflow,
ing for you?"
Grace tried to withdraw the hand
that he had clasped.
"Do not say any more, Mr.. Mainwar.
ing. cannot be your wife"
He only ciasped her hand the tighter.
Grace" he cried, Il thought that
was not an object Of Indifference to you
Can it be that have deceived myself?'
| The girl trembled, and her eyes low,
cred themselves beneath the shade Of
their long, dark lashes.
With sudden motion he drew hel
to him and forced her gaze to meet his
In that moment he read the truth
His love was returned.
Yet still once more she repeated, 81
cannot be your wife" And this time
he learned the reason-that, though
she could not deny that she cared fo1
him, she felt that in the worlds eve.
she was not his equal.
off / married you," she persisted, il
answer to his pleadings, "the time
might come when you would repent.
And in the end John was obliged tc
be content with her decision, supple
mented: as it was, by her oil
fathers approval, that if, after two
years time, during which no communi
cation should pass between them, he
should return and still desire her fol
his wife, she would not then say no.
The two years glided by and founl
Grace Durham more lovely than ever
Patiently and assiduously the girl hae
studied to improve her education, ant
with an active intellect and love for tn,
task-master, it was no wonder that eacl
day saw rapid advancement.
And now, though a prince were tn.
wooer. he might be glad to call Grace
Burnham, "wife."
The time Of probation was ended, bu
the days fitted by and yet John die
not return. AT length, with hear
: filled with keen pain, the girl wa
forced to acknowledge to herself tina
her lover had forgotten her; that hi
!, affection had not been strong enough
to outstand the test that she hersel
had imposed. Time went by, and tt
add to her burden Of sorrow her ole
father was taken sick and died, leavin.
her brother and herself orphans, alon
and friendless.
And John, where was he?
The day which was to have seen hi1
3 by his loves side found him in dark
9 ened room, delirious with feve,
4 Months dragged along, and finall
: after a hard struggle the fever wa
worsted and for time job
u MainWaring came from til